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Pacific Life Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.3 million (2024 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $141.5 million
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000
  • Application Window: July 15 - August 15 annually
  • Decision Time: Approximately 5 months (August to January)
  • Geographic Focus: Orange County CA, Omaha NE, Lynchburg VA

Contact Details

Website: www.PacificLifeFoundation.com
Email: plfoundation@pacificlife.com
Phone: 949-219-3011
Address: 700 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Application Support: Questions about the grant application process can be directed to plfoundation@pacificlife.com

Overview

The Pacific Life Foundation was established in 1984 as a company-sponsored foundation supporting Pacific Life Insurance Company's philanthropic mission. With total assets of $141.5 million, the Foundation distributed $8.3 million in charitable grants in 2024. The Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofits in communities where Pacific Life employees work and live, specifically Orange County, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Lynchburg, Virginia. Over the past four decades, Pacific Life and the Pacific Life Foundation have made philanthropic investments totaling nearly $159 million to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation operates with an employee board structure that oversees grant allocation through a thorough annual review process, with a focus on programs that address the greatest community needs and create positive, measurable change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Program Grants: $5,000 - $15,000

  • One-year funding period
  • Supports program expenses, operating costs, or collaborative initiatives with other agencies
  • Application accepted through annual online portal (July 15 - August 15)
  • Multi-year funding available for up to three consecutive years

Capital Grants: $25,000 - $100,000

  • Supports organized capital campaigns already underway
  • Requires more than 50% of campaign goal pledged prior to consideration (excluding in-kind donations, anonymous gifts, and loans)
  • Awarded to nonprofits with substantial fundraising campaigns

Priority Areas

The Foundation accepts applications in five core areas:

  • Health and Human Services: Represents more than half of annual grant distribution; includes food security programs, homeless services, and community health initiatives
  • Education: Financial literacy, youth development, workforce training, and educational access programs
  • Civic, Community & Economic Development: Community building initiatives, economic empowerment, and neighborhood revitalization
  • Arts & Culture: Cultural programs that serve diverse communities
  • Environment, Ocean Health & Marine Mammals: Ocean conservation, environmental protection, and marine mammal welfare (Note: Marine mammal research grants are handled separately, not through the annual grant cycle)

Special Focus Areas:

  • Financial security and education initiatives
  • Food security programs (dedicated $675,000+ annually)
  • Ocean health (total investments of $18.6 million to date)

What They Don't Fund

  • K-12 schools, school districts, or school foundations (these are eligible only through the invitation-only "3Ts of Education" program)
  • Sectarian or denominational religious organizations, except for programs that are broadly promoted, available to anyone, and free from religious orientation and proselytization
  • Organizations with written policies of discrimination on any basis
  • Fundraising events including sponsorships, membership drives, luncheons/dinners, walks/runs, or tournaments
  • Marine mammal research (handled through separate process)
  • Organizations outside Orange County CA, Omaha NE, and Lynchburg VA service areas

Governance and Leadership

The Pacific Life Foundation is managed by an employee board that oversees grant allocation and strategic direction. Key leadership includes:

Ana Segarra - Vice President, Pacific Life Foundation

Jim Morris (retired) - Former Chairman, President and CEO of Pacific Life Insurance Company

Jim Morris has been vocal about the Foundation's commitment to community impact, stating: "Addressing the racial wealth gap and creating economic mobility starts with uplifting underserved communities and committing to lasting community-focused solutions." He has also noted that "Many of our employees are philanthropic and get involved with local non-profits," highlighting the employee-driven culture of giving at Pacific Life.

The Foundation receives contributions from Pacific Life Insurance Company ($7 million in 2024) and generates additional revenue through investment dividends and asset management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Pacific Life Foundation only accepts online applications. Faxed, mailed, and emailed applications are not accepted.

Application Window: July 15 - August 15 annually
Application Deadline: 12:00 a.m. on August 16
Grant Awards Announced: Following January

Application System: Online portal through www.PacificLifeFoundation.com

Required Documentation:

  • 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter
  • Program or capital campaign details
  • Financial information
  • Evidence of campaign progress (for capital grants)

Application Guidelines:

  • Do not use all caps when completing the online application
  • Do not provide more information than requested
  • Thoroughly review application before submitting
  • Videos, DVDs, CDs, notebooks, and binders will not be accepted and will be discarded

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period: July 15 - August 15
  • Review Period: September - December (approximately 4 months)
  • Notification: January of the following year
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 5 months from application deadline to notification

Recent award announcements:

  • 2025 Grant Cycle: 141 nonprofit partners received $2.5 million (announced January 2025)
  • 2024 Grant Cycle: 134 nonprofit partners received $2.1 million (announced January 2024)

Success Rates

The Foundation receives more requests than it can fund each year, indicating a competitive process. Based on available data:

  • 2025: 141 grants awarded from annual cycle
  • 2024: 134 grants awarded from annual cycle
  • 2023: 152 grants awarded from annual cycle

While specific acceptance rates are not published, the Foundation funded approximately 140-150 organizations per year through the annual grant cycle, suggesting selectivity given the limited application window and geographic restrictions.

Reapplication Policy

Standard Policy: Nonprofits may reapply annually for funding; however, grants are made to any one nonprofit for no more than three consecutive years. After receiving three consecutive years of funding, organizations must wait through a two-year interim period before applying again.

Exception: Nonprofits where a Pacific Life officer serves on the board of directors are exempt from the three-year maximum and two-year waiting period.

Multi-Year Funding: Organizations may request multi-year funding for up to three years in their initial application.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Pacific Life Foundation's stated priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate these characteristics:

Geographic Alignment: Organizations must serve Orange County CA, Omaha NE, or Lynchburg VA. The Foundation emphasizes that nonprofits should ideally serve a large area, usually including more than one city or community, rather than a single neighborhood.

Mission Alignment: Programs should address "the greatest needs" in their communities and demonstrate "positive change." The Foundation seeks partners that can identify opportunities or challenges within their focus areas.

Measurable Impact: Recent grant recipients demonstrate scale and reach. For example:

  • Youth Emergency Services (Omaha) received $50,000 for a Housing Campus Project that will increase services to homeless youth by 242%
  • Food Bank for the Heartland (Omaha) received $1 million to expand warehouse capacity to serve more families across Nebraska and western Iowa
  • Lestonnac Free Surgery Center (Orange County) received $75,000 to construct a surgery center providing free surgeries to uninsured individuals

Campaign Readiness (Capital Grants): Capital grant applicants must demonstrate that more than 50% of their campaign goal has been pledged (excluding in-kind donations, anonymous gifts, and loans) prior to Foundation consideration.

Organizational Capacity: The Foundation looks for established organizations with strong infrastructure, as evidenced by their preference for nonprofits serving large areas and their capital grant requirement for organized campaigns.

Employee Connection: While not required, organizations with Pacific Life employee involvement may have additional context. The company has a strong culture of employee volunteerism and matching gifts ($2.1 million to 1,054 nonprofits in 2024 through employee giving programs).

Clear Communication: Application guidelines emphasize not providing more information than requested, using proper capitalization, and thorough review before submission—suggesting the Foundation values concise, professional applications that follow directions.

Secular Accessibility: For faith-based organizations, programs must be "broadly promoted, available to anyone, and free from religious orientation and proselytization."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: The one-month application window (July 15-August 15) requires advance planning. Prepare materials before mid-July to ensure a complete, thorough submission.

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations serving Orange County CA, Omaha NE, or Lynchburg VA are eligible. Organizations outside these areas should not apply.

  • Capital grants require campaign momentum: Don't apply for a capital grant until you have more than 50% of your goal pledged. The Foundation wants to support campaigns with demonstrated community support.

  • Think multi-year strategically: You can receive funding for a maximum of three consecutive years, then must wait two years. Consider whether to request multi-year funding initially or apply annually depending on your program timeline.

  • Scale matters: The Foundation favors organizations serving broad geographic areas (multiple cities/communities) and programs with measurable reach, as evidenced by their emphasis on impact data in recent grant announcements.

  • Follow application instructions precisely: The Foundation explicitly states not to provide more information than requested, avoid all caps, and submit only through the online portal. Attention to these details signals professionalism.

  • Frame your work around community needs: The Foundation's language emphasizes "greatest needs," "positive change," and "underserved communities." Articulate how your program addresses urgent community priorities with measurable outcomes.

References

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